Debt settlement companies are everywhere it seems like. Every time you turn on the television or radio you are most likely going to see an ad for some type of debt relief service. With so many companies on the marketplace to choose from how do you know which is the best for you? The fact is that not all debt companies are legitimate and will be able to live up to their promises. There are however several respected and established debt settlement companies out there and it is critical that consumers know how to find them. This article will teach consumers how to ensure that their debt settlement company is a legitimate and respected company.

Your first question for a debt company should be whether or not they are a member of The Association of Settlement Companies. TASC is the consumer watchdog in the debt settlement industry and only accepts companies into their accredited organization when they've proven a high rate of success in negotiating debt settlements. It is by no means easy for companies to get into TASC but there are plenty of legitimate companies to choose from.

Also it would be wise to make sure that the debt company has a clear refund policy. Most consumers seeking the help of a debt company will not be able to pay a lump sum payment to settle their debt so they will end up paying a monthly payment into an escrow account. When the escrow account reaches an amount that the creditors are willing to settle for, your account will be paid off and closed. If however the debt settlement company is not able to settle your debt for an acceptable amount, you should be able to get back all of your money in the escrow account. All legitimate debt companies will have a clear refund policy.